Shock absorber for vehicles



oct. 4. 11927.

c. MARCUS SHOCK ABSORBER FOR VEHICLES Original FiledflNowlO. 1922 Patented Oct. 4, 1927.

Laisse; f f g CHARLES MARCUS, or NEW YORK, N. Y., Ass'teroa or'oNETHm-D To RAYMON.:

LANSING, ror Moivronan, NEW Jenaer, Ann ons-mmap To Hmmm) D. ori'rrifirl';

0F FAIRFIELD, CONNEGTCUT.

SHOCK Assoaana ron viitirera-is,l

Appiicamn 'meant-feinem 10, 'ie'aajseiiai no, 690,082.v Renewed Merch ama?.

VThe invention' relates to deviceslor reta-rding Vthe movement of `'vehicle springs; or otherwise stated, for checl'i'ng or 'retarding the movement ot'the main trame of the vehicle vin relation to the axle'dueto road suififface irregularities.

The invention "structure is especially advantageous for use to retard the recoil movement 'ot the vehicle'springs, but may also he employed. ivhen desired, to check vthe springfcompression, or movement of the lair-le toward the .chassis frame.

- .mportant objects or" the invention are, to provide a. mechanism which dispenses with fluid media and acts with certainty to -apply a predetermined lirictional resistance to the relative frame-.and-axle movement in one direction withoutl opposingl any appreciable "resistance to the :other movement;A to lapply the maximnin4 desirable or availableV resis-` tance Vt'hroug'hout all but alsmall part ot the retarded movement;` tog provide a small range of substantially free initial spring movement, that is, at the begi'nningof `the convergent or divergentV movement of vehi-V l. .1' x cle` trame and axle, as the case may he; toY

construct and arrange Vthe mechanism so that the 'free range of movement 1s automatically provided tor a-tthe beginning otL the Yretard-V ed spring. `movement in any of the relative positions ot' the vehicle ra'n'ie `and axle.; to apply the maxim-nin resistance very ,rapidly or practically ii'nmediatel'y atrthe end ofthe short free movement; to dispense withl straps or' band-s, eith'ei.` as jtricti-onhmemb'ers or connections; to provide .a simple, strong and diirahle' mechanism ;y and in various Ways to improve Vthe struct-ure ,and functional characteristics of devicesofthis class.

The' characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sniticiently' described in 'connection with. the following detailrdesci-'ilptio-n of the accompanying drawings@ the invention structure' inafylloel `lapplied'to a vehicle'.

Fig.l 2 is aside-'elevation ofthe reboinid' ycheck with Apart of the over plate brliex 3 is a melamine"seenn'shwingp and a friction plate.

of irrevoli'ihle connectioi'ihetyveenthe'spindle i i i 5 is a @een View' shdwinigfliie las..

tion of a bearing bushing to 'ani'ovahle friction plate. i i i A A. fixed ine'i'nber', usuallyfin theforin plate l. is adaptedlorconnectlonto .onevofff v l' two relatively movableparts of the vehicle rainning gear vand this .plate nisfusuallyfse-4` cured to one ot the chassis'side frame `memeers 2. Associated with this plate isa spindle 3, thel details of which maywvaryybut which `desiraloly has a portion A4:. closely ting a hole 5 inpla'te l. The spindle mem@ loer 4 and plate 1 have cooperating-fiatffacesla and 5a respectively to loclrfthe spindle'iiry revolubly yto the plate. A.Thespindlehas Aany l y enlarged outWard-.portionl-G provided with`v shoulders 7 adjacent tothe -fiat `faces 4ta',- these shoulders resting againstn the outer surface oii'plate 1.7 i y kPlate l may be bolted or othervvi'seseeured to the frame member fin any 'suitable- -Way.

lt is often desirable, hovvever,l inrvorderyto `,properly position the -device,-ftofspa"ce `the plate away from the frame web; andfonthis purpose` a spacing rner'nloerr or,Washer 8 `is. placed on the shank 9 ofspindle @between plate l and the fiameiveb.- `Shank r`9 .passes through a hole bored in the .web 'and a` mit l() enga-ging a screvv-thread 1l on the shank secures the *spindle in position' and `the f saine time clamps plate Il againstthe' 'spacer 8, in spaced relation to the `fianie.- Plate- -moderate length,- and thisvisspaced from the frame by a spacing Washer l2, and a bolt 13'y passing through the end of the armvlayth'e Washer anda holehored i'n-th'e frame 4mem-l ber 2, secures the plate at another p-ointdn 'l desirably' has an extenso'nor arm la ofspaced relation to the frame and prevents" any rotative movement rof the plate..

A plate lll is arranged lparallel to plate I, and the tivo pla-tes have portions centered about the spindle of ample area-to provider suitable friction sur-faces. Plate 14 has an f extensionV 15 forming a lever arm of suitable inward portion of the platelak is ajhole 16,

- vin which'a bearing bushingA 17 is inserted flo Y y Y Y Y lprojections k16.1 which engage therbushing `'with a tight la'.

A The plate* aperture is formed with .aplurality of teeth or shallow to cause` it to' rotate? with the plate. The

'p bushing is mountedto turn about the inward part oqfgthespindle portion 6 and lt prol vides "af suitable bearing for the vmovable late 14. Thebus'lling may be of metal, but Y i -,1s more desirably of some permanentlylubrif cated type, such 'a graphite-impregnated ywood bushing.

i Affrictiondis'k 18is placed between plates 1" and 14, and ,another friction disk 19r is placed on thefouter surface of the central Vportionjof plate 14, these disks being providvfed with 'centralfholes, which have bearing fits on endsurfaces of the bushing 17. The

y friction Vdisks maybe'ot yanysuitable material, slucllfaiscompressedjasbestos fabric, or

" 1 V,molded friction material. Usually the, friction disks'arefnot secured against rotation respect-.to yanypart'of` the device.

- AfnuitQO, which is convenientlyr designated inf-some cases vas the'pressure chamber,`lis ini' 4c i characteristics of the vehicle spring, and the load normally carried by the chassis iframe,`

ternlallythreaded tofngage screw threads 21 formedon the Vouter or large portions 6 'of thefspindle.v These threads are usually of rather'steeplpitchfthepitch beingv variedy inthe-design ofthe device to suit particular operating-conditions,` someof the factorsV yconsidered Vbeingthe mass orY inertia ofthe axle-structure, the Vload capacity and other in-briefthepitch of. the screw threads is Calculated tof give thedesired pressureandJ consequent frictional-resistance without having sufficient angulari-ty to produce a locking action. yT he nut has 'a'fl'angeQlf `the inward i' face of which bears against the-outer face of friction disk19.

.To control lthe-action of the nut or to elffectits initial pressurel actiolra spring 22 is provided which acts between the nut and the screw. Specifically in the present example,

` the springisin the forni ofa ribbon bent into a spiralwvhich is normally a flat spiral.

` 'Atfone end the spring has an eye 23 engagedabout a screw'stud 24-which is screwed into 4 yflange 21a and the otherv endlof the spring has an angular portion 25 engaging aV slot 25a in the `outer end of the spindle 3. `,In placing the springit is coiled up to give proper rotarytensionY and is -at the same time stretched out along the axis Vofthe-spiral so that the "contractile tendenc'yof the springholds its end "25 in the spindle'slot without the neland between plate 14 and flange 21a.

cessity of a retaining device, although such a device may be provided if necessary or desirable.

The outward portion of the mechanism, including the spring and the outer part of the spindle may be enclosed by a dished cover Vplate 26 secured to nut flange 2P `by screws 27. In some cases it is unnecessary to protect the edges of the friction disks, but when necessary or desirable 'any suitable coverings may be provided, such ascompressible rings or rings of material thinner than the disks .18 and 19'surrounding the peripheries of these disksbetween plates 1 and'li y Cork rings 188L are used for thispurpose, as shown in the drawing. n y v The end of arm 15 isfconn'ected to the axle or an axle itting by anyv suitable linkage, which is most desirably a positive linkage. For instance, in the present example the axle 30 is provided withany suitablelitti'ng 31 and the fitting and arm 15 are provided with d ball-end members forming universal connections for the' soc-ketedends of a link 33,

Fig. 1, this style of universal link V connectionbeing desirablyemployed toyavoid any lateral strains on arln 15, although, of course, details of the link connectionV may vary greatly. i f n y The appliancemaybe arranged to resist` either convergent or divergent movement of the vehicle axle and frame.v For example,

vwhen arranged as shown in Fig. 3, if the 1 yaxle is below the frame member 2, the upward movement of theaxle in 'relation to the frame, orin otherwords, the compression of the vehicle spring, will be resisted. By inverting the device, that is by changing the device as shown in Fig. 3 to the other vside of the vehicle, with Varmr15 pointing in on Y the same direction, the device will retard tne rebound or sprlng expanslon movement. -V

Or, without changing the position of the device, its direction of operation may be changed by removing the screw spindle and nut and substituting others in which the ylead of the threads is in the other direction,

that is a lefthand screw and nut,instead of the v4right hand screwand nut arrangement shown. Theappliance has been found to be very valuable and ellective as a rebound retarder and its operation when arranged for that purpose will now be described, and it willy be understood after considering this description that itmay be arranged and used, as a spring compression retarder and will apply resistance tothe upward axle movement, instead of the downward or divergent movement of the axle and frame in a similar way, and with asimilar free `action at the beginning of the retarding operation.

When the device is arranged to check re-i Y bound, for instance, as in Fig.y 3, supposing lso v 611, the4 frit-ien.. Surfacesof Said, members' Y-during@ greater Partei-:the entire movementof theqinovable member, and lyieldable e ineanslforeifecting theinitialfaction ofthe t PreSSure-,me'mbere j 3, Aspring; check Vfor vehicles comprising aplateada` tedto be connected -to a vehicle framcinem fer, :a spindlejassociated with the plate andsecured against rotation, another .plate a1- ranged for rotativemovement about Y 1thespindle,` .thegplates having` friction sur# a plateiadaptedtobe connected to ,a'vehicle franiemembei-,a spindlenon-rotatively asso- 320,1? ciated withthe; plate, anotherplate arranged faces `aboutV` the jspindle, a ,nut engaging a screwthread on the spindle andhavingav Ymember[providing ka friction surface confronting` the second plate, and a 'spring urging the nut inthe activedrection. i 4.; A spring checkjforfv'ehi l' s comprising for rotative movementI about the spindle, ythe plates having :friction surfaces; about the spindle, anut engagingfa screw thread'on t e spindlev andha'ving` a member providing vlaffriction surface confronting the second v zf-plate, a, spring acting between the nut and the spindleto urge` the nut-inthe activefdi- {erection-,fandanarmv extending fromthe sec-l ond`'-platearrangedl for connection to the. "vehicle;f'axle`. A i

" 5, A spring checkifor'rvehicles,comprising l a. plateadaptedgto be ksecured to al vehicle frameimember, a spindle non-rotatively as- .soci'ated-.jvwithfthe lplate at thev center of a circular friction surface thereof, another,

- plate arrangedrv for rotative; movement about the vspindle'and having-a friction surface "thegfrction surfaces, and a `sp'ring acting 1 nut 1n the activegdirection,,

y afplate yadapted tobeconnected toa vehicle z betlwleenifthe nut and thel spindle to urge the (i.Y A yspr-in gcheck.l forY vehicles i comprising frame membenjaspindle irrevolubl7 asso- .i ,ciatedwith .the'plate at the centerof a yciricular;:friction surface thereof, another plate l arranged -for rotative ymovement about they Y spindleand havingr aV-friction. surface sub- 'dos f fnutginfthe .active direction, and an arinon ftje second.- plate arranged-for connection tofy l* l* Cured `against 'rotation-in..relationto'the@ 7. Aspring checlifor" vehicles comprising `i' stantially:commensurate with that of the rfirst'plate, a nut engaging ascrew thread on "the, spindle and having a flange` providing afriction j surface con-fronting"u the second plate,VY friction material between certain of tlie,friction` surfaces, a spring acting betweenfthenut and the spindle .tourge the a "vehclelfaxlef a'f'platef adapted to be'secu'red to :a vehicle iframe member, as spindle secured in fixed release relation to said plate atthe center ofva'zfrice. tion surface@ thereof, afsteep-pitch screw thread fon the spindle, anut running on the lscrew thread and provided with a flange-V Y having Van inwardly presented'friction sure face, a spring; acting between the nut, andl spindle to urgev the nut to move toWardsa-id plate, and a friction plate betweenv said first l l plate and flange and provided VWith* anarm for connection to thevehicleaxle.v

' 8, A spring-check forvehiclescomprisingff a-plateiadapted to be connected to a vehicle iframef-nfiemberpazspindle secured in fixed Y relation tosaid 4,plate at the lcenter of av fric` tion surfaceq thereof, a ,steep-pitch screw thread on the spindle, ka Ynutr 'runninggj on Vsok the screw;` threadv and provided-With a flange Y j having ,aninvvardly presented lfriction sur-,1

face, a spring Yacting betweenfthefnut and i spindle Vto urgethenut to moveetoward said plate, a friction plate; between-said first plate l and flange and `provided ,with anlarmlfon connection tothe vehicley aXleaIid a :housing `securedto said flange and enclosing the spring and outer portion of ,thespindle ,9. A spring'checkfforvehicles comprising a; plateadapted .to be :secured to' ayvehicley frame member, alspindlesecuredllin. fixed; relation to ysaid plate at vthe ce'ntervof 'ay fric-.. tion surface thereof, a steep-pitchv screw threadon the spindle,a nutfrunningon the screw; thread and provided with aflange having in inwardlypresented frictionsurface, a,

spring acting ,between Vthe nut and spindle to urge the nut to movetoward said! plate;y a friction plate between saiclfirst plate andy flange and provided kvvithan arm for connection tothe vehicle axle, and friction disks,v i

Vbetween the first plate and theflange surface f and said second plate. f

10.V A. spring check lfor vehicles comprising a ,plateadapted to be connected to a vehicle `frame member,` a` vspindlesecuredy `in fixed relation to saidplate' at thecenter of a Vfriction surfaceiliereof, ai steep-pitch-'screwrv thread on the-spindle', a nutrunningon the vscrew thread andziprovided with 'aflange' having an-inWardlypresented friction sur-,V face, aspring connectedl tothe nut andspin? dletourge the nutto move tovvard said; plate,;afriction plate betvveenisaid first plate landilange and provided with an arm forl` connection to thevehicle axle, friction disks:l between `the first plate and the'flange surn face and said ,second plate, anda housing secured to said; flange and enclosing kthe spring and outer portion of the spindle. i t i 11. A springk lretarder for vehicles/coinprising a friction, plate having' ran arm adapted tobe secured to a vehicle frame, a spindlegpassing .through the 'plate' and 'Y seplate andjalso secured tothe vehicle frame@ a steep-pitch,screivjthread on the loutwardmeewscrew thread and having a flange, another friction plate havingabe'aring Vmounting about thespindle and located between the first plateand said flange, friction disks bef tween the flange. and the second plate and between lthe first and second plates, anda spring connectedY aty one end to the nut flange andV at. the otherend to the spindle and Serving to urge ther nut to rotateV on the screw-thread in the active direction.

i l21 In a spring check lfor, vehicles, the combination. of. a frictionv plate,l a spindle secured. inv non-rotative relation thereto, a relatively movable plate mounted to oscillate about the spindle, a revol'ubleV friction flange confronting the movable plate. and. provided. with means cooperating with the` spindle. to urge it in a direction to clamp the movable. plate. between the flange and the liXed plate `in'one direction of movement, and means for. effecting initial movement. of

the ange Vau 13. In a, spring check for; vehicles, the combination of. a friction plate, a spindle secured in.,l non-rotative relation thereto, ,an anti-friction bushing rotatively mounted. on the spindle. adjacent to. saidV plate, a relatively movable platemounted to revolve vviththe bushing, a revoluhle `friction flange confront.- ingthel movable plate Aand providedv with means cooperating With the spindle to urge it in adirection to. clamp the. movable plate between. the flange andthe fixed plate inone direction of movement, andV means for .effecting initial-movement. ofthe flange.

14. A spring retarder for vehicles coinprising an element having, a friction surface and adapted to be connected to. one of tWo relatively movable. spring-connected parts of a vehicle, another element arranged for' relative rotary movement andV .having a friction 'surface confronting the. friction surface of the first member and arranged. for. connectionv to` the other of said. vehicle parts, a member secured in nonrotative. relationv to the first named. element, a movablepressnre member` arranged to. be frictionally actuated by said second element, said membersbeing provided with cooperating vinclined, surfaces act-ing; upon. movement of, said., second element ins 'one direction to apply a constant maximum pressure tothe friction `surfaces to. re-

' sist vehicle partv movementduring substantia'lly the entire relative. movement ofsaid parts in one direction..- .l 'l a v.

15. Aspring retarder for vehicles, comprising. an. elementY having a friction surface andadapted to beeonnected to` one, of two relatively movable spring-connected ,partsf of avehicl'e, another elementf arranged f'or relativerotarv movement and havingy a. friction surfaceconfroatingl the frictionsu-rface of the first member and arranged for connec tion tothe otherof said vehicle parts, a friction, dislrbetween,4 the friction surfaces,

a membersecuredin irrevoluble relationto the first-` named element,- a revolu'blepres'-Y sure member arranged to bejjfrictionallyactu: ated by said second element,said` members beingprovidedi with cooperating inclined .sur-

'faces acting upon movement of said second element in one direction after a small degree of free movement to apply a constant maxi-. mum pressure to the friction surfaces to. rel sist the entire remaining movement of the vehicle 'parts in the stated: direction'. l'

16. A spring check for vehiclescomprising a plate adapted to bevconnected ,to avehicle frame member, a spindle associatedwithfthe plate and secured against rotationpanothier plate arranged forrotative movement about the spindle, the plates having friction lsurfaces about the spindle, a nutfengagingwa screw thread on the spindle `and lhavingfa member providing a frictionesurfa'ce con'- f'rontingthe second pl`ateand'. fa torsion spring urging the last named memberrotatively in the active direction. 'i

. l7QA spring retarder for velliclesconij# a r prising anpelement havinga friction surface and adapted tobe connectedgto one, oftvvo relatively movable spring-conn'ectedfpartsof a vehicle another element arranged foi-,relativtive rotary movementandhaving ayfriction surface confrontingthe frictionsurface "of 9 5 the first member andl arrangedfor 'connection to the other of said" vehicle parts."a

member secured in nonrotative relationIto i'io , 18. A springf retarder for vehicles, comprising an` element hearing4 afriction surface and adapted to be connected' touone of-tvvfo a relatively movable Spring-connectedpartsfof a. vehicle, another element arranged for relaa, tive, rotary movement and having ay friction surface confronting the friction surfac'eof the first memberand arranged for connection to the other ofsaidl vehicleparts, Aa friction disk between the frictionsurfaces, l

a member` secured in.irrevolublerelation to i the rst. named element,Karevolnblecpressure. member` arrangedto be frictionallyac'tuated by said` second element. said:membe`1`"s` being provided with coopeat-Igi surfaces. actingv upon movementA of said 'Second element in one direction after a, small degree. of'free movement to apply a constant maximunrpressure to the friction surfaces torvresist the entire remainingmovement of o d' vehicle parts-'in the stated direction, and

ayspringgurg'ing the pressure member to frictionalIengagementwith said second element.

f two relatively vrotatable friction `members )adapted to.be connected to partsof a Avehicle which y are.v Vconnected by a, vehicle Y spring, a pressure member rotatable in re-V spect to the members first named Vand operated frictionally upon'relative movement of said irstmembers, yieldable means for producingjfriction'pressure between the members,.zatridV relatively fixed `and movable inclined'elementsV arranged to affect the fric-V tion pressure ,between the members.

l 'e :20.`7A1vehicle spring controller ,comprise, v{in'ga,first'member ladapted to be connected'` tof aV vehiclev pat.; fa vsecond member adapted tobe .connected vto another vehicle part and Vmou'nt'edlfi" rotation in lrelation to the first 'i -member and having aV :substantial friction Varea opposed toajfrijction area of the-,first member, a rotatable Lpressure member frictionally, Aoperated by the second member, yieldablemeans for producing friction presi .sure .between `the members, and relatively iixedfand movable yinclined elements acting Y v fin one direction of movement of the pressure y.rnember.to produce friction pressurebetween l the ymembers in cofoperationjwith said yield- 'ablegmeangand alsoiacting in the other direction ofvmovementtop reduce the friction 4 pressure.

21.`,A vehicle spring controller* comprising "a first member adapted tor be connected to a fvehiclepart,ga second member adapted to be f connectedr tov another vehicle part and mounted '-forrotation in relation to the first member and havingsa 'substantial friction.

area-opposedto a friction area `of the first i pliieifnber,` a rotatable pressure Vmember fricl ,tionallyrpoperated by Ithe second member,

Vyieldable means for producing friction pressure between the' members,r and relatively7 fixedgandgmovable yinclined elements ar- -ranged .to produce friction pressure between -themembersfupon movement of thevpressure member andv to differently modify the pres- Y ,sure effectofsaidyieldablemeans in different {directionsof movement of thepressure meniber.

'22.1 Alvlehiclespring` controller comprising .two relatively rotatable 'friction members yadapted to be lconr'ie'cted to parts of a vehicle Y v vhich are `:connectedby a'vehicle spring, a-

` l:friction pressure member rotatable in respect V;to the-' members' firstl named and operated ffrictionally on.l relative Vmovement of `lsaid vfirst memreraa spring forproducing friction pressure between the members, and

relatively ixedand movableinclined pressure-producing elements co-operating with' 'said sprin *.andqpressurevmember., e.

23. A ve icle spring controller comprising vehicle spring controller comprising Y movement.

Ledges `a first member adapted to be connected toa vehicle part, a second member adapted to be connectedy to another vehicle lpart and mounted for rotatioi'i in relation to the first member and having a substantial friction area opposed to a friction area of the first member, a rotatable pressure member fric'-` tionally operated bythe second'member, a:

spring forA producingfriction pressure between the members, and relatively fixjedirand movable inclined ,elements acting in one di- `rection of movement of the pressure member to' produce friction pressure between the members nico-operation with said' spring.

Y 24. A lvehicle-spring#action-controlling 'ap'-V pliance :comprising two relatively movable ing theV member to frictional engagement, and frictionally actuated means acting in one direction of relative movement of the meme bers to amplify the frictional effect, and

-friction'members, yieldable means for Vu'rgacting in the other directiongof movement to reduce the frictional .effect of theyieldable means. Y 'y' e y25. A shockrabsorber for vehicles coinyprising two relatively movable friction members, yieldable means arrangedtourge vthe members y to frictional j engagement, and

means including an inclined `memberin fixed relation to one lof the friction members and a frictionally actuated pressure'member co-operating with ysaid inclined member acte Y ing in one direction of relative movement VVof the friction member to amplify the frictional i effect, and acting in the otherdirection of movementy to reduce the frictional effect of,v

the yeldable means.

26. A shock absorber` for vehicles comprisingtwo relatively movable friction members,

an element fixed against rotation vin relation to one of said frictiony members and having an operating surface inclined to the plane of said member, a movable, frictionally actuated pressure member co-operating with said inclined surface, and a spring tending to amplify the frictional effect produced 'by the `inclined surface in lone direction," and the inclined surface tending to reduce the spring effect in the other direction of movement.

lsaidrinclined surface, and a spring exerting an effect upon the pressure member tending to amplify the frictional effect produced by the inclinedV surface in one direction, and theY inclinedfsurface acting toreduce.v the effect of the spring in the :other` direction of 28. AA sh prisi'ngvv a friction'plateadapted toi'be ookv absorber for vehicles comles . nected to a vehicle member, another relatively movable friction plate adapted to be connected to another relatively movable vehicle member, a member non-rotatively secured in relation to one of the plates, a4

screw thread on the spindle, a nut engaging the screw thread and having frictional engagement With said movable plate and arranged to urge the plates together, and a thrust spring acting on the nut and exerting pressure urging the nut to active position.

29. In a shock absorber 0r spring check for vehicles, a first friction plate, a second relatively oscillatable friction plate, a pressure member having frictional engagement with said second plate and arranged to cause application of retarding friction be-V tween the first and second plates, a spring Y Vtending to urge the pressure member to fricsecond plate When the `latter is moved in either direction from any operative position, and theA spring and inclined member co-operate to apply a maximum frictional retarding effect tothe second plate in-fone direction of movement and a smaller frictional retarding effect in the other direction of movement.

Signed at Hoboken, in the countyof Hudson and State of New Jersey, this sixth day of November, A. D'. 1922. CHARLES MARCUS. Y 

